UN: Iraq flouted human rights in protest action

▶ Excessive force by security forces killed 149 demonstrators, report says

The Iraqi government committed serious human rights offences and abuses during the recent anti-government protests that killed 149 civilians, the UN said yesterday.

Nationwide demonstrations erupted against high unemployment, poor public services and rampant corruption that prompted a violent crackdown from security authorities this month.

In a report published by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (Unami) late on Monday said there was evidence that security forces had used excessive force against demonstrators.

“The number of dead, the extent and scale of injuries inflicted on demonstrators, all suggest that Iraqi security forces used excessive force against demonstrators in Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq,” said the report by the UN Human Rights Office.

Protesters blamed corruption and political infighting for government failing to meet public demands and called for an improvement to citizens’ standard of living.

Unami conducted hundreds of interviews with human rights monitors, journalists, civil society activists and family members of those killed in the protests to finalise its report.

Journalists told Unami they were subjected to arrests and harassment for covering the demonstrations, while human rights activists said they received death threats to scare them off participating in the demonstrations.

“The loss of life, serious injuries and harm resulting from the violence during the demonstrations was tragic and preventable,” said Danielle Bell, Unami’s human rights chief.

“Concrete steps to enable peaceful assemblies and protect those participating should be a priority.”

The report is a vital step towards accountability, UN special representative to Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said. “I urge that further steps be taken to prosecute and punish those responsible,” she said. “Iraq has come a long way, it is essential not to further undermine its many achievements.

“A climate of intimidation and fear is unworthy of Iraq’s potential as an open and democratic society,” Mrs Hennis-Plasschaert said.

The report came as an Iraqi government committee investigating the demonstrations published a report stating that 149 civilians and eight security forces were killed because “excessive force and live fire” was used by the armed forces.

Most of the protesters were aged between 15 and 25, and about 70 per cent of the deaths were caused by bullet wounds to the head or chest.

The investigation also found evidence of snipers shooting protesters from a building in central Baghdad.

“During our investigation we found shells from sniper fire in an abandoned building near a petrol station in central Baghdad,” the report said.

The panel urged the dismissal of Baghdad’s operations commander and other senior security officials, and condemned riot police for failing to impose a curfew, which panel members believe intensified the violence.

“Civilian casualties were the direct result of weak control by officials,” the report said.

Calls have been made on social media for rallies tomorrow, the anniversary of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi’s government taking office.

Human rights activists said they received death threats to deter them from taking part in demonstrations